Paul Silva

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Paul Andrew Silva was called home on April 16, 2026 and is now resting in His everlasting arms. He was blessed with many happy years to watch his family grow after a life-altering liver transplant in 1996 and a live donor kidney transplant on February 14, 2019, both performed at Mass General Hospital in Boston.

Born June 25, 1954 in Lansingburgh, NY to Paul Frederick and Alice Bethel (Smith) Silva, Paul was the youngest of five children. In 1961, the family relocated to Swarthmore, PA, and shortly following the 1968 death of his father, to South Glens Falls, NY where Paul graduated high school in 1972. Predeceased by his parents, eldest brother, David, and brother-in-law, Thomas Sharak, Paul cherished his close bonds with his siblings Philip Silva, Sharlene Silva, and Marlene Silva Sharak, who survive him.

Paul met the love of his life, Rhonda Marie (Dunn Hamilton) Kraft, at a softball game and they soon married at Harrisena Church in Queensbury, NY on December 12, 1987. Together they built a home in Lake George where they raised their blended family which included Eric Orion Silva (Sheryl) and Amber Lee Silva (Hicham Damahi) from a previous marriage to Pamela Sue Welch (d. 2003), and Jennifer Marie Kraft and Raymond Henry Kraft III (Jennifer Lynn) from Rhonda's previous marriage. He is survived by his wife and children; eight grandchildren: Brianna, Erika, Samantha, and Emma (by Jennifer Marie), Sabina (by Eric), and Tariq James, Elwood Zaïm, and Rafiq Sage (by Amber); four great-grandsons: Colton, Bentley, Declan, and Ashton (by Erika); nieces: Dawn, Jill, Jenny, and Evelyn; and numerous cousins he dearly loved reconnecting with at Silva Family Reunions.

Paul earned a B.A. in Philosophy from SUNY Potsdam in 1976, which naturally transitioned into a long career in the finance and insurance industry. While he began his post-graduate life as a shoe salesman in Philadelphia, PA, he soon found employment there at the National Chamber of Commerce. In 1980, Paul returned to the Glens Falls area where he was employed by Metropolitan Insurance then, following his liver transplant, at Legacy Partners. Never wanting to remain idle, he jokingly referred to himself as a semi-retired retirement income strategist (CLU, ChFC), and in his later years Paul led numerous financial training courses and webinars, hosted a radio talk show “Insights on Finance,” and published How to Retire without a Pension (2014).

As Paul recovered from his life-saving operation, his life was again saved by faith. For 28 years he was the Lord's devoted and faithful servant, and an active participant in the life of his church community where he forged the deepest of friendships. One such friendship saved his life yet again when a fellow congregant, Terry Smith, became his live kidney donor. He began each day grateful with his coffee and the Bible. His time in Boston also converted him into an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. Paul was furthermore a huge blues enthusiast, keeping harmonicas in his office and car so that he could join in. He will be tremendously missed by the family he was born into, the family he created, and the family he found, including his beloved dog, Frank (11th Hour Canine Rescue NY).

Services will be held Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Gateway Church, 97 Hamilton Ave in Corinth, NY at 12pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Donate Life America, or by offering your support directly to the organization's mission by becoming an organ donor yourself.

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